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Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has pleaded not guilty to allegations that he forged his university degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.
Nnaji was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to the charges, he is accused of presenting a forged degree certificate allegedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a forged NYSC discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023. He is also facing allegations of obtaining about ₦29.5 million in salaries and allowances by false pretence, as well as money laundering.
After entering his not guilty plea, the prosecution informed the court that it was ready to begin trial, with three witnesses already present. However, Nnaji’s lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), asked the court for more time to prepare the defence and also moved an application for bail.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted the former minister bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety, who must be a Federal Civil Service officer not below Grade Level 15 and resident in Abuja. The court also ordered Nnaji to surrender both his official and international passports pending the hearing of the case.
